Quick Answer
Start with what isn't changing: your roof, brick, and stone. Pick a body color that works with those, a trim color that contrasts with it, and an accent color for the front door. Then put large samples on two sides of the house and check them in the morning and again in the evening before you decide.
Picking exterior colors is the fun part of a repaint, and also the part homeowners worry about most. A color that looks perfect on a small chip can look completely different across an entire house in Kansas City sun. Here's the process we use with our clients.
Start With What Isn't Changing
Your roof, brick, stone, and windows aren't getting repainted, so your colors need to work with them. Look at the undertones:
- Warm roofs and brick (browns, reds, tans) pair best with warm whites, creams, greiges, and earthy greens.
- Cool roofs (gray, black, charcoal) open the door to cool grays, crisp whites, navy, and charcoal.
- White or almond vinyl windows limit how dark you can go on trim without clashing. Plan around them.
Think In Three Colors
- Body: the main siding color and the biggest visual impact
- Trim: window and door casings, fascia, and corner boards, usually a contrasting white or a darker tone
- Accent: front door, shutters, or garage doors, where you can be bolder
Popular Directions We're Painting In Kansas City
- Charcoal and near-black bodies with white trim for a modern, high-contrast look
- Warm greiges and soft whites that feel updated without being stark
- Cool grays with bright white trim, a timeless option on two-story homes
- Deep greens and blues as accents on doors and shutters
See real examples in our project gallery.
Always Test Samples On Your House
Color shifts dramatically with light. A gray that looks neutral indoors can turn blue in shade or wash out in full sun. We recommend:
- Painting large samples (at least 2 feet square) on more than one side of the house
- Looking at them in morning, midday, and evening light
- Viewing them from the street, not just up close
Tip: exterior colors usually look lighter and brighter on the house than on the chip. If you're torn between two shades, the slightly darker one is often closer to what you're picturing. Painting to sell? See colors that help a house sell.
Check Your HOA First
Many Johnson County and Lee's Summit neighborhoods have HOA color guidelines or require approval before a color change. We can provide paint names, color codes, and samples for your submission.
Get A Professional Color Consultation
Every Arrowhead project includes color guidance. We'll look at your roof, brick, and neighborhood, narrow down options that work, and help you test them on your house. As one homeowner put it, "the color designer was also so helpful to suggest colors."
Ready to start? Request a free estimate and we'll talk color at the walkthrough.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Exterior Colors Are Popular In Kansas City Right Now?
On the homes we paint, the most requested schemes are white or off-white with black trim, warm greige with white trim, charcoal and near-black, and deep greens and blues as body or accent colors.
Do I Need HOA Approval To Change My Exterior Color?
Often, yes. Many Johnson County and Lee's Summit neighborhoods require HOA approval before an exterior color change. Ask for your HOA's form before your painting date so it doesn't hold up the schedule.
Does Arrowhead Painting Help With Color Selection?
Yes. A color consultation comes with every project, and we bring samples and photos of homes we've painted around Kansas City.
Cade Zerr is the owner of Arrowhead Painting KC, leading a team with more than 35 years of combined painting experience. More about Cade